“There goes infrastructure development-based jobs,” he wrote, inciting many responses from other South Africans, who had mixed opinions on the matter.

One the one hand, many social media users felt that using technology to take over jobs previously done by humans would mean less money spent on social regulations, such as paying for sick leave, salary increments and strikes.

PAY ATTENTION: Do you want to know what's trending on Briefly.co.za? Join our WhatsApp group today.

But to counter this, many users, such as Kurisani Mathonis, suggested that job losses would result in more social instability and crime would increase. Another user added that in South Africa, it would probably cost more to use technology over human labour, Briefly.co.za found.

Many felt that this would mean now is the time to start educating people and improving literacy and employment in order to prepare for new technologies so that they’d be eligible for higher-level jobs.

Others added that standing on the side of the road in the scorching sun or freezing cold should not be considered a job and that we should create better, sustainable and fulfilling jobs instead of aiming to give workers minimum wage for labour.

South Africans found the idea laughable and joked that in Mzansi, someone would probably take it home and use it as a toy. Another lady remarked that driving past the robot at night would be scary.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!